Spain passes digital roadmap – more retuning

The last socialist cabinet meeting has approved the digital dividend roadmap to be implemented between next July 2012 and December 31st 2014. Present DTT broadcasters, which are now using the 790-862 MHz frequency bands, will have to migrate to 470-790 MHz bands to free the so-called digital dividend whose bands (790-862 MHz) will be operated by mobile and broadband operators.

The migration will oblige Spaniards to re-tune their DTT channels and even make adjustments to their terrestrial aerials. The Government has allocated a budget of €800 million to finance the operation to be completed before January 2015.

The plan states that DTT channels may simulcast their present transmissions on the current band with those on the new bands for a six month period. The main objective is that Spaniards can have access to a speed of 30 Mbps before May 2020 in compliance with the European Digital Agenda.

In April 2010, Spain switched off its analogue TV. One year later, Spaniards had to make the second re-tuning as several DTT channels, like Teledeporte, Veo 7, AXN and Intereconomia, migrated to a different band. Now, Spain will face another retuning.